Brutal Killing of an Ahmadi Muslim in Karachi, Pakistan: The Assassination of Mr. Laiq Ahmed Cheema Amid Escalating Religious Violence
A shocking and deeply disturbing act of religiously motivated violence occurred in Karachi, Pakistan on April 18, 2025, when Mr. Laiq Ahmed Cheema, a 46-year-old member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, was brutally murdered by unknown assailants while on his way to offer prayers.
This assassination is yet another tragic episode in the ongoing campaign of hate, persecution, and violence against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community across Pakistan, in the so-called name of God. The incident occurred despite a heavy police and paramilitary presence in the area due to Friday prayers—highlighting the brazen impunity with which anti-Ahmadi elements operate and the alarming state inaction toward protecting minorities.
Details of the Incident:
Mr. Laiq Ahmed Cheema, a devoted member of the Ahmadiyya Community and father of four, was targeted while travelling to a local prayer site in Karachi. Reports confirm that he was attacked at close range with bricks and sticks and died later. The perpetrators, who had been monitoring his movements, escaped the scene undetected—despite it being a high-security area under the jurisdiction of the Shahrah-e-Noor Jahan Police Station.
His murder marks yet another addition to a growing list of Ahmadis who have lost their lives solely because of their religious beliefs. Mr. Cheema leaves behind two wives and four daughter and three son, now without a father due to targeted hate and religious intolerance.
Link to video on social media: https://x.com/faith_defence/status/1913184798916362509
Context and Background:
This assassination is not an isolated event but part of a long-standing, systematic campaign of religious persecution and targeted killings against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Pakistan.
In over 20 cities across Pakistan, Ahmadis have faced incidents of mob violence, mosque desecration, harassment, and imprisonment under discriminatory laws.
Extremist religious groups like the Tehrik e Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) continue to openly incite violence against Ahmadis with little to no intervention from state authorities. In many cases, including this one, the attackers operate with impunity, emboldened by societal intolerance and legal frameworks that marginalize Ahmadis.
Legal and Human Rights Violations:
These targeted killings and systemic acts of persecution violate both domestic constitutional guarantees and international human rights obligations, including:
- Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan – which guarantees every citizen the right to profess and practice their religion.
- Article 25 – which assures equality before the law.
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – particularly Articles 2, 6, 18, 25, and 26, all of which Pakistan is bound to uphold.
Call to Action:
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) strongly condemns the murder of Mr. Laiq Ahmed Cheema and the escalating campaign of persecution against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. We call upon:
- The Government of Pakistan to immediately investigate this assassination and bring the perpetrators to justice.
- Law enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of Ahmadis and their places of worship from hate-driven violence.
- The international community and UN human rights bodies to urgently investigate the systemic and religiously motivated persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan.
- Legal and civil institutions in Pakistan to uphold constitutional values and safeguard the fundamental rights of all citizens regardless of faith.
The assassination of Mr. Cheema is a chilling reminder of the dangerous environment faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. We stand in unwavering solidarity with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and urge immediate action to end this cycle of violence and discrimination.
